Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction . Any resemblance to any person, living or dead, is purely coincidental. The characters are fictional, the names - including business names - were chosen to fit the story line and are of my own creation. The places, times and incidents are purely fictional.

 

One Fine Summer

by J.L.Strange

 

Moving day. Again!

Oh! how I hate moving.

My oldest cat is going bonkers, he knows something's going on and doesn't like it at all. With good reason. I found him in a park near here six years ago. Apparently he had been left there by his former humans when they either tired of him or found they couldn't keep him. Most likely he had been a "dorm kitten" at a local college. These irresponsible kids will get a pet when they move into the dorm only to find, after being caught with a contraband companion, that they have to get rid of it. Some can keep a pet in their dorm room but can't have one at home, so they take it to a nearby park and abandon the poor thing when school lets out.

Poor Pete. Thinks he'll be dumped again even though we've been together for six years. Oh well........

I picked up the truck early this morning and started loading it. Tonight, after my friends get out of work, I'll have some help. Maybe. By the time they get here I should have 95% of my stuff loaded. If all three of them show up, unloading will be a breeze, then the fun begins anew. Unpacking and organizing my life in another new place. With all that help, I might have enough time to setup my water bed, have it filled, made and ready to use by midnight. Then, and only then, will I collect my kids (feline one and all) and turn them loose in our new, better, place.

One of the boxes I just loaded is plainly marked Halloween Stuff. I wanted to bury that particular box to hide it from the eyes of my homophobic friends. They just wouldn't understand. Don't get me wrong. They're good people, just a tad ignorant. One of the guys helping me is very macho and strictly gay. The other two don't know and would drop him as a friend if they found out. I'm certainly not saying anything. Besides, his girlfriend, Bobbi, is one of my "sisters".

Me? I'm heterosexual, as far as I know anyway, but if the wrong helper were to view my 'Halloween Stuff', a total lack of understanding would result. Even though the box is plainly marked Halloween.

You see, the contents of that container are decidedly feminine. From the longest brunette wig to the red patent leather ankle strap pumps with four inch heels to the matching purse and it's matching makeup pouch, everything in that box either fits me or goes with that which does. The rest of my wardrobe is in a special, locked, garment bag that hangs in the closet. My makeup 'case' looks like a tool box, also locked. The garment bag and 'tool box' are already at my new house. In the guest suite.

Yeah............. I know...... How did a powerfully built, athletic looking type, such as myself, come to have a box and hanging wardrobe filled with women's attire? And so much makeup?

Well...........

Since you asked...............................

Long time ago, thirty-five years to be precise, is when it all started.

 

Chapter 1

At thirteen I stood five four in my bare feet and weighed one hundred pounds, soaking wet. My hormones hadn't kicked in yet so my face and body were mostly smooth. No masculine angularity. The muscles of my legs were not large, just strong from all of the bicycling I did. Due to all of my physical activity, there was relatively little fat on me.

My face? Androgynous - all the girls at school would tease about what a 'cute girl' I'd make and how pretty I could be with long hair and just a little makeup. Some said they were jealous of my long, thick eyelashes.

Strangely enough, it didn't bother me as much as my reactions showed.

Matter of fact, in third grade I started wishing I was a girl. That wish came from watching the girls during recess. I had a crush on Anna... something or other... and noticed the social interaction between her and all of the other girls. She had friends, I had none. Therefore, if I were a girl, I TOO would have friends.

Yeah, I know... third grade logic.

Somewhen during that time I found a pair of my mother's old panties, cotton I think, in our 'rag bag' next to the washer and dryer in the cellar. They somehow found their way into my room one day and lived in my closet until my mom discovered them some weeks later. Yeah, I put them on a few times in the interim and enjoyed every second of it. Don't know why, I just did. Her finding them put an immediate end to that though.

I was also known as a nerd. Social ineptitude, high IQ and all.(Yeah! - I have a functioning brain - so shoot me! Sorry, I don't claim to be a 'superior' person, it's not my job to determine that. We all have our talents. 'Braininess' is mine.)

My vocabulary matched or out paced those of most of my parent's adult friends, not that I ever said much. Learned not to.

I had one same-age friend that year, Colleen, a fellow nerd. She was away for the summer.

We lived in a suburban area near a large city in Upstate New York. Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday were trash collection days in my immediate area, and several surrounding neighborhoods. During the summer months I would eagerly jump out of bed before dawn, get dressed, hastily eat a breakfast of Cheerios and bananas, then jump on my bike and begin my 'Treasure Hunt'. I was on my way before the sun was up and back with the booty before the garbage trucks got rolling. You'd be surprised at the variety of items I would find.

One foggy July morning, just after school closed for summer vacation, I think it was a Wednesday, I found a large heap of neatly stacked moving boxes at the curb in front of a newly vacated house.

'Wow!!', I thought. 'Fort Knox!!'.

As I searched through the boxes, I found old bed linens, knick-knacks, books, broken dishes and clothing. I didn't know why, but for some reason the clothing caught my attention and imagination. There were neatly folded blouses, skirts, stockings, dresses, slacks, jeans, bras, panties, slips, and other frilly things.

I quickly stuffed most of the clothing into a pillowcase from the linens, set it near my bike and moved on to another box. The next three boxes I opened contained little but trash, so I neatly folded the box flaps back the way they were and put the boxes on the stack I had already inspected. One box left, so I opened it. Much to my unexpected, confusing delight, it contained all manner of women's footwear; high heeled pumps, flats and knee high boots with spike heels. All were in excellent condition. Into another pillowcase went everything with high heels.

After making sure I had left the 'trash' pile as neatly as I had found it (no reason to make the garbage guys job any rougher than it already was) I moved on.

Nothing to be found on the rest of that street, so I pedaled to the next one over. Only two houses had any 'attractive' junk by the curb. The first place had nothing to offer, but what I found in front of the second place put my heart in my throat immediately!!

Sitting next to the single garbage can was a paper grocery bag with several smaller paper bags neatly packed inside. On top, between two of those neatly folded paper bags, was a clear plastic dry cleaner's garment bag. What caused my heart to jump was the sight of the contents of that sack.

It was hair - a wig!!!

I quickly grabbed that entire paper bag and tied it into my bicycle basket, then headed home as fast as I could. I wanted to get there before my parents got up so I could hide my booty in the loft of the garage.

My parents woke about a half hour after I finished stashing my goodies.

"How was your treasure hunt, Jason?", my mother asked.

"There wasn't much out there today, Mom, but I had fun anyway.", I replied, my heart still racing. I couldn't wait to be alone so I could go through the things I'd collected. Especially the brown paper bag. I was eager to inspect (and try on) that wig.

The day wore on, and on, and on. Then it started to rain. Always a good reason for staying in and reading, not at I ever needed one. Dad was already at work, my mother was finishing up the housework and I was in my room reading. Mom knocked on my door.

"I'm going to the beauty shop and then go shopping for a while. Is there anything you'd like me to get while I'm out?", she said.

"No thanks Mom", I replied.

"O.K. then. I'll be back in about four hours. If I'm going to be any later, I'll give you a call.", she told me.

"Sure. See you later Mom.", I said as she turned to go.

'Four whole hours!', I thought excitedly.

I waited fifteen minutes after her car pulled out of the driveway before going to the garage to get that mysterious bag of goodies. I climbed into the loft, dug under the daybed, retrieved my paper packed prize, clambered down the ladder and rushed back to my room.

Once there I placed the bag on my bed and, heart once again in my throat, stared at it for at least five minutes.

Shaking out of my trance, I reached for the wig. When I had extracted the contents of the plastic bag I found that it contained not one, but SEVEN different wigs. There were two very long, three medium length and two shorter wigs. All were the same brunette color but no two were alike. Each was styled differently. I carefully laid each one out on my bed so I could see and compare them.

'Wow!', I thought. 'Wonder what's in the little paper bags?', I............ well, wondered.

With that thought, I put the bag on the floor and sat on the corner of my bed. I pulled the first paper bag out, it clinked as I did so, and opened it carefully. Inside there were three lipsticks, two compacts, mascara, eyebrow pencils, two bottles of eye liner and three bottles of nail polish. All new and still wrapped. Each bottle of polish matched one of the lipsticks.

After inspecting each item, I carefully repacked the bag and put it aside.

The next bag clinked too, but was smaller. It contained four small bottles of perfume. These I merely looked at before refolding the sack and placing it on the bed next to the first one. Paper bag number three was light and squishy. I couldn't imagine what could feel so funny and still be related to the other contents of this collection.

With furrowed brow I opened that squishy bag, looked in and still didn't understand what I had found. Still frowning, I dumped the contents on my bed and was both surprised and elated to watch as a pair of breast forms bounced and rolled onto my newly acquired wigs. Although I had never seen them before, I had heard jokes about falsies in school.

Now I had a pair of my own to play with. They were someone's idea of flesh tone and had nipples that looked real to me. I gingerly picked them up and stuffed them under my t-shirt against my hairless thirteen year old chest, tucked in my shirt and turned to inspect the effect in my dresser mirror. With a few minor adjustments they were, in my estimation, correctly placed. And what a difference they made! I had to try one of the wigs after seeing myself with breasts, so I turned to choose one from my bed.

I've always envied long healthy hair on girls and women, so I chose one of the longest in my new found collection. It took a few tries to get it on correctly but I did, finally. I concentrated on getting the hair straightened and on the outside of the wig and once that was done I stepped back to see how I looked.

Like a teenaged girl, that's how I looked. To me, a very pretty, busty teenager in t-shirt and jeans.

I studied my reflection for a few minutes then went back to sit on my bed to continue unwrapping my 'presents'. Next to be unwrapped was a pair of high waisted, skin tone, panties with pads sewn into the seat and hip areas. These I inspected very closely. The pads were attached in such a manner as to show no seams. They were absolutely smooth.

I quickly doffed my jeans and pulled those panties on. They weren't loose but neither were they too tight and the padding in the seat gave me, or so it appeared in my mirror, a more feminine derriere. There I stood, in front of my dresser mirror wearing a long wig, padded waist cinching 'panties' and falsies under a white boy's t-shirt. Only 45 minutes had passed since my mother pulled out of the driveway. Plenty of time for more 'play'. I couldn't see my entire body in the dresser mirror so I went to the guest room to look at myself in the full length mirror there. It was one of those large, three panel, hinged dressing mirrors. The kind you see in dress shops. I walked in, stood before the mirror and spent what must have been a half hour looking at my bewigged, padded self from all angles.

What I felt as I looked in that mirror and ran my hands over my new curves was, quite simply, excitement.

Back to my, as yet, unwrapped treasures, quite eager to discover what other nifty things I had found. The next package held a lacy black strapless bra and a black silk cocktail dress. Now I had something to hold the falsies in place and a dress to wear over the whole ensemble. I held up the dress by its straps. It didn't look too wrinkled or as if it had been worn very much, if at all. I laid it on my bed, took off my wig, stripped off my t-shirt (which sent the falsies flying), picked up the bra and tried to put it on. Three tries later I said a dirty word, hooked it and pulled it on over my head.

Then I went looking for the falsies. One was on my dresser and the other I found in the big paper bag. Once I had them both in hand, I slipped one into each cup of my bra, then adjusted the bra to a more natural position. Like the 'panties', this article of clothing was neither loose nor tight. I used the first set of eyes when I'd hooked it.

Next came the dress. The zipper gave me a little trouble but that was soon overcome. The bodice covered the falsie filled bra just right. The waist looked a bit low on my hips but not too low to discourage me. Beneath that, the full skirt draped itself nicely over my padded behind and hips, falling to just above my knees. I went back to the mirror in the guest room, just for a look. The wig was in the dress with me so I freed and fluffed it while turning in front of the mirror, putting on a show for me.

Yet, something still wasn't right.

'Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm', I thought, 'What's missing here?'.

Two answers came immediately to mind; shoes and lipstick. I glanced at the clock, it was almost time for Mom to be getting home. I sighed, did a few more poses for myself, then, reluctantly, went back to my room. As I walked I was quite aware of the silk dress and the wonderful way it caressed my naked, hairless legs as I walked. I did NOT want shed this attire, it felt too.......... delicious.

Several weeks passed before I had another chance to dress up. During that time I had few opportunities to further explore my findings. The falsies had a hollow space into which a firmer foam pad had been inserted. Once removed there was room for what I'd found in another bag. Condoms. If just enough water was put into a condom, it filled the space perfectly, added weight and provided a natural feel.

Other items in the bag were false eyelashes, jewelry (including several velvet or satin chokers, six bracelets, four cocktail rings, thirteen pairs of earrings, two brooches and four pendants on chains), a pretty ladies watch, another black silk cocktail dress(halter top), two garter belts and five unused pairs of thigh high nylons (two black, two tan and one pink).

At the very bottom of the big bag was another neatly folded package. This one held two small purses, one larger purse and two books. One of the showed how to use makeup, the other was filled with tips on "How to Increase Your Sex Appeal".

Whoever tossed this stuff must have been in a hurry, because two of the purses contained cash in their money pockets totaling one hundred seventy-eight dollars and forty-seven cents. Quite a find for a thirteen year old.

Also during that time I found hiding places in my room for everything so I wouldn't have to keep climbing into the garage loft to retrieve my feminine attire. The shoes I found were mostly too big, but one pair of the boots and one pair of patent leather pumps with ankle straps and three inch heels, were only a little too big. I was able to stuff the toes with tissue paper for a 'perfect' fit. Only the high heeled sandals seemed to fit just right. The books I read and reread during those weeks of agonizing wait, alternating between makeup and sexy tips. I was eager to practice what I'd learned from those books.

Chapter 2

My chance finally came. Dad had to travel for business, he would be gone for two weeks, and my Mom had a Monday night meeting to attend for her ladies club. She would leave at two thirty in the afternoon and not return until nine that night. Or so she told me. That gave me six whole hours to play. So that's exactly what I did.

Two thirty Monday afternoon, after Mom left, found me pulling the bottom drawers out of my dresser. The space underneath was two feet by five feet by six inches deep, into which fit the dresses, underthings, jewelry and makeup.

There was a matching chest of drawers in my room under which I'd cached the shoes, boots and wigs. Once I had everything laid out, I closed the blinds in both my room and the guest room. Then playtime began. I started by opening two condoms and measuring the water with which I would fill them. Filling completed, I made sure all of the air was out, then tied them tightly. I inserted these 'water balloons' into the falsies and laid them atop my dresser. My boy clothing disappeared in a flash as I surveyed my wardrobe. First the padded panties, they fit a little more snugly than they did three weeks ago. Well, I was still growing.

I tucked my male parts out of the way as I adjusted the panties on my body, it just made them look better, more natural I thought. Next came the strapless bra into which went the now weighted breast forms. I must have used more water than I thought I did because the cups of the bra were filled much better than the first time. I walked a few steps and felt my 'breasts' bounce, seemingly with a life of their own.

I remember enjoying that feeling immensely.

The garter belt followed the bra and soon I was rolling black nylons up my smooth thirteen year old legs. That feeling, too, was incredible. I finally figured out the garter belt ends and spent about an hour getting everything straightened up and connected. Another walk around my room. Now for the shoes. I pulled them on, buckled the ankle straps and stood up. Cautiously, I took my first step. And then another, and another, and another. By learning to walk in those things, slowly, I avoided serious injury. Soon I was walking 'normally', if a bit slow, around my room. The carpet only snagged my heels three times. Over my brush cut I fitted the longest wig, it reached all the way to the small of my back. I ran my fingers through the hair to get it the way I wanted it, then shook my head to settle it in. What a wonderful feeling that gave me then and even occasionally now. Still walking carefully, I went to where the makeup lay, picked up three items and walked back to my dresser to use the mirror.

The items were; false eyelashes, blush and eye shadow. I carefully peeled one of the lashes from the plastic form it came on and, closing my left lid, placed it on top of my own, natural lashes and pressed it into place. Got it right on the first try. The right lid/lash combination didn't go as smoothly. That took three tries. I stood there blinking my eyes, trying to get used to the funny way they made my eyes feel. Next I opened the makeup book to the eye shadow section, reread the words and studied the pictures for the hundredth time, opened the eye shadow case, took out the applicator, rubbed it on the cake of color and started applying it to my right eyelid, very lightly, a little bit at a time. The color was a pinkish tan and looked sparkly, even on my eyelid. Then I did my left lid. With a cotton swab I removed some that had gone astray near the inside corner of each eye and smoothed the edges. When that part was complete, I put the applicator away and closed the case. Blush came next, also very lightly. I didn't try to use mascara or eyeliner, I just wanted to get into the rest of my ensemble as soon as possible.

The dress I chose was the halter top cocktail dress. It had a short, full skirt. I unzipped it, very carefully stepped in, pulled it up to cover my bra, put my head through the halter top, swept my hair forward out of the way (over my left shoulder) and pulled up the zipper with my right hand. The person this dress had been made for was my current size when she/he modeled for it's fitting. I shook my head again to put my hair behind me and made minor adjustments to the dress.

Once I was comfortable, I picked up the little clutch purse and walked into the guest room. There I sat at the vanity table, looked at myself in the small mirror and opened my purse. Inside was the money I'd found and the lipstick I was going to use to complete my look. I sighed and took out the lipstick, smiled at my image in the mirror, opened the tube and watched as it neared my lips. The first touch of that cosmetic stick sent shivers through my young body. I applied the lipstick as I had studied doing in that wonderful book, then blotted my beautiful lips with a tissue from the box on the vanity. I closed the lipstick, put it away in my clutch and removed one of the black velvet chokers. This I fastened around my neck, snug but not tight, centering the cameo. I stood then and, with my eyes on the floor, I walked over toward the triple dressing mirror. When I could see the bottom frame of the center mirror I stopped. All I could see at that time was the reflection of my high heels. At this point I closed my eyes and turned to face away from the mirrors altogether. Then I opened my eyes..........only to find my mother staring at me.

She had a strange smile on her face.

'I'm dead.', I thought.

Mom continued to smile that smile, tipped her head to one side and said, "Hello. Jason? Is that really you? You look beautiful."

I stood there, terror stricken.

"I brought you something you might want to try, Sweetheart. Something I didn't see in your.........things."

My eyes began to fill with tears.

"There, there", she said, "don't cry. It's O.K. dear. I've known about this for the past week. Here!", she went to the vanity, grabbed a tissue and walked to where I stood. "Now look at me baby, come on, look at me. Everything's going to be O.K.."

She started to hand me the tissue as I looked up, then stopped, put her finger under my chin to lift my face and dabbed away at the streaks of wet on my cheeks, still smiling.

"I'm sorry Mom.", I sobbed, "I didn't mean to..............I thought............"

"Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhh shhhhhhhhhhh, it's alright honey. I understand. I really do.", then pulled me into a mother's hug and stroked my hair.

This went on for several minutes before I was able to stop crying. Mom held me by my bare shoulders, at arms length, and looked me straight in the eye. Literally................... with me in heels we were the same height.

"You knew?", I asked still sniffling.

"Yes, Jason. I found your 'wardrobe' under the bottom drawer of the dresser while putting away your clean clothing. One drawer didn't slide right, so I pulled it out and there it was.", she said.

"You're not mad at me?", I could NOT believe this was happening.

"No, not at all.................... Do you want to see what I brought you?"

"Sure Mom, I guess.", I sniffed.

"O.K.. Close your eyes and hold out your hand. No, no. Face straight ahead, come on, shoulders back. There, that's better. You look much prettier that way.", she told me.

I heard her open her purse, then something light dropped into my outstretched hand.

"O.K.. You can open your eyes now."

I opened my eyes and looked at the little square box in my hands. It was a box of fashion length stick-on finger nails. Talk about confused! There I was, thinking she would be angry or hurt and there SHE was adding to my collection of feminine things.

The look on my face must have been comical because Mom started to laugh.

"Want me to help you with those?", she asked sincerely.

"Huh?", I responded brilliantly.

She smiled again, took my left hand in her right and said, "Come with me."

I had no idea what was going to happen next. Mom lead me downstairs to the kitchen and had me sit at the breakfast bar with my hands on top of the counter.

My mom frowned and said, "This won't do, come sit over here. I have to get something from my room. While I'm upstairs I want you to open the nails for me...............no...us."

While she was gone I did as requested. When she got back, carrying a bottle of nail polish remover, she sat across the table from me.

"Give me your hands, we have to clean your fingernails with this.", I was informed. "You DO want the image to be complete, don't you?"

"Uh............... yeah, sure. That would be nice. I think......"

"Well, you seem to have been interested enough to get this far and, I must say, you've done a fantastic job. You look extremely feminine and wonderfully attractive. I'm having trouble believing that you're really my son." The look on her face confirmed her words. "How do you feel, dressed this way?"

"Well, kinda funny inside....... happy funny. Natural but confused.", I replied feeling lost.

Mom took my left hand in her left hand and started to swab my nails with a cotton ball soaked in remover.

"Well, it's perfectly normal for you to feel 'funny' and 'natural' and 'confused', and if this makes you happy, then I'm happy too." Then she started to chuckle softly. Seems I had another comical expression on my face.

Well, what would you have done? I was expecting the worst and she was being understanding, accepting and supportive. I didn't know WHAT to think.

"I always wanted a daughter, someone who could also be my girlfriend. I just never thought she'd be my son." Then she smiled and took my other hand. "Blow on that hand while I do this one. Ooooooo, this is going to be fun! Just wait and see."

I had no idea what she was talking about but, for some strange reason, I felt very happy and excited at the thought. Mom finished with the hand she was working on, asked for the other one and had me blow on the one she just finished cleaning. I watched as she got a small bottle from the nail kit and opened it. Taking my left hand in her left hand again, she started trying different nails over my thumbnail. After finding one that matched in size, she put a drop of glue from the open bottle on the inside of the fake nail, flipped it

over and pressed it to my real thumbnail. She held it there for a few seconds until it bonded, then let go and started the procedure again for my index finger.

This went on until there was a fake nail on each of the fingers of my left hand. Then she did the same for my right hand.

"Would you like something to drink Jase?"

"Yeah Mom, I am kinda thirsty."

"I'll bet you are!", she chuckled. "But, Jason, when you're dressed this way I want you to call me Dianne. We're girlfriends now, remember?"

"Uh....... I guess...... O.K........ Dianne. You really meant what you said earlier?"

"Yes, .............................Jessica, I did and do. Do you like that name?"

'Jessica', I thought for a moment then nodded in approval.

"Alright then, Jessica you shall be.", she said. "Your nails are ready for polish now. Do you have any?" I nodded yes "Good! I'll get us something to drink while you go get it."

I stood and headed for my bedroom in a daze.

"That's a dear.", she said to my back.

Dianne had a couple of drinks waiting on the table when I returned with all three bottles of polish.

"Wine coolers.", she told me. "Go ahead, but sip slowly. There isn't much alcohol in these things but, even though you LOOK like a beautiful twenty-four year old woman, now...... you've never had alcohol before. Have you?"

I shook my head, carefully took a sip of my wine cooler, swallowed and put the glass back on the table. Mom......excuse me, Dianne looked at each of the bottles, quickly comparing the color to my lips, said, "This seems to match.", and began to shake it. "You'll have to learn how to do all of this for yourself. Think you can?", she asked.

"I think so. Are you really going to call me Jessica from now on?", I returned.

"Yes dear, but only when you're dressed this way." She opened the little bottle. "Give me one of your hands, Jessie."

I gave her my left hand and she began to apply polish to my new nails.

"Jessie or Jessica or Jess. You can call me Dianne or Di. They're interchangeable. While you're dressed, and looking like an adult woman, that's exactly how you'll be treated. And that's how you should act. Are you up to it?"

"I'll try.", I told her. And meant it!

"I'll help you.", she grinned back. And SHE meant it.

I took another sip.

"Moth........... I mean Dianne,"

"Yes Jessica?"

"Let me do my other hand?"

"Of course you may Jessie." And she smiled as she handed me the nail polish. "When you're finished I'll show you some things about makeup. Be careful not to smudge the polish on your left hand."

Then she got up, took her drink into the living room, sat in the recliner, turned on the TV and lit a cigarette. I took another sip of my cooler and sat there looking at the lipstick on my glass. My next sip was more like a gulp. That seemed to steady me a bit, so I started

polishing the nails on my right hand. Doing my best to emulate Dianne's technique.

Twenty minutes and several gulps later my nails and cooler were done. Dianne came back into the kitchen to see how I was doing, saw my empty glass and without saying a word proceeded to refill it for me. She seemed to know the stress this whole thing was causing me. She also seemed to know how relieved I was that she'd found out. Now, as long as Dad was away, I didn't have to worry about being caught. I'd just started doing this ..... but it felt so right somehow.

"Nails dry yet?" I nodded an affirmation. "Good, now let's go upstairs to the guest room and work on your makeup. But let's get you changed into something a little less formal first."

Dianne led the way up the stairs to my room where she asked, "What would you like to wear Jessie?"

I really didn't know. The only femme clothing I had worn were the two cocktail dresses and neither one of those for very long.

"Di, I really don't know. I haven't been doing this for very long and don't even know what all I have."

"Why don't you pull out everything you've got and we'll look it over together. That way I'll be able to see any gaps in your wardrobe and I'll be able to help you fill those gaps with good things."

'Gosh, she really does want to help me. She IS my friend.' I smiled at her and took another 'sip' of my drink.

First I pulled the bottom drawer out of my chest of drawers to access the things that were still there. Then I retrieved what was left under my dresser and spread the whole mess out on my bed.

Dianne looked at me in surprise. "Quite a collection you have there. By the way, where did all of this come from? Did you find it all in one trash heap?"

"That's almost right. I had to go through two trash heaps, then hid it in the garage loft under the daybed about three weeks ago. You went to the beauty shop that day and I started bringing it in and hiding it here. I don't even know what made me bring it home. But now I'm glad I did and I'm very glad it was you, Dianne, who 'caught' me." The alcohol seemed to have loosened me up a bit.

"I'm glad I 'caught' you too Jessica. How do you like your new nails?", this was said lovingly and I felt like crying for happy.

"Oh, Dianne------", I said while admiring my new fingernails. "I love the way they look and feel and..... and .....and ....." I started to cry a little bit.

Dianne responded by hugging me and saying, "There you go again. Now stop that crying or you'll ruin your beautiful silk dress. That sexy little nothing must have cost someone a pretty penny. Why don't you slip out of it now and we'll pick something else for you to wear."

So I set my half full glass on the night stand, turned around so she could unzip me and ducked out of the top. That done, I let it fall to my feet and stepped out of it. When I turned around Dianne had another look of surprise on her face.

"What's wrong?", I asked.

"Oh, nothing------nothing. Your legs and butt are really sexy in that get up. I wish I looked that good dressed in as little. Well, let's see what else you have to wear. But let's hang this up first."

She set her drink next to mine, picked up the dress and walked into her bedroom for a special hanger for me to use.

While she did that I had a few more sips of my cooler, putting it down as she reentered my room.

"Have you given any thought to what you'd like to try on next?"

"Not really Mo------Di."

"Well let's have a look see.", she said, looking at the clothing spread out on my bed. "How about these?", she held up the soft cupped white bra, white satin blouse and a pleated black miniskirt.

I said, "That looks nice." while reaching into my bra and pulled out the falsies, laying each on the bed as it came out. Surprisingly, my new nails didn't interfere too much. Dianne looked at the breast forms and picked one up. After inspecting it she nodded and put it back, next to it's mate.

"I've heard of those, but this is the first time I've ever seen them. They feel, well, more real than any I've ever touched before."

After I'd shrugged out of the black bra, she handed me the white one she had chosen for

me too wear. I did this bra the same way I did the strapless. First hooking, then sliding it down over my head. When Dianne saw me do this she started to laugh.

"No Honey. Here, let me show you a little trick."

That's when I learned how to put a bra on upside down and backward then turn it around, flip it right side up and put my arms through the straps. Oh well......live and learn. She then handed me my breast forms and watched as I arranged them in the bra cups. The shoulder straps were way to loose so Dianne, my sweet loving Mom, showed me how to adjust them correctly. The blouse went on next, but gave me some trouble when I tried to do the buttons the way I was used to doing them. In this case my new nails really helped, acting like little shoe horns for the satin covered buttons.

Dianne pulled my hair out of the blouse while I was struggling to close it and that helped quite a bit too. The skirt was high waisted and had a zipper, this I unzipped and stepped into, pulling it up and tucking in my blouse as I pulled the skirt up. I held the skirt in place and asked Dianne to 'please zip me' which she did after engaging the hook and eye.

Di then showed me a trick with skirts and blouses, pulling the skirt up a bit, reaching under, pulling the blouse down all around then sliding the skirt into place.

"Dianne, are these shoes O.K. with this outfit?"

She had me walk around the room so she could look.

"Well, they are a bit formal. Let's see what else you have."

I walked over to my drink for another sip which almost drained my glass.

"How are you feeling Jessica? That cooler went pretty quickly."

"Very good Dianne, kinda warm and fuzzy inside. Happy." I smiled my love to her.

She smiled back and said, "Well, we'll wait a little while before getting you another. In the meantime why don't you step out of those heels and try on these boots.", She held up the knee high black leather boots with the three inch heels.

I finished my drink and sat on the bed to remove my pumps. This is where my new nails started to get in the way. Those little buckles on the ankle straps just did NOT want to cooperate. Dianne knelt to help me and, while she was there, slipped my boots into place, leaving the zippers for me to do. Well, I did need practice. I'd stuffed the toes with tissues while trying on all of the footwear my collection, so the fit was good. They looked nice on my legs and felt sexy.

Di then had me follow her into the guest room for makeup. I brought all that I had with me so she could show me what I needed. As I sat at the vanity, she studied my face, pursed her lips and nodded.

"O.K., here's what you're going to do. First, your blush needs a touch up. Go ahead, do what you did when you first put it on."

I opened the blush case, took out the brush, reapplied it, then, with a bunched up tissue, blended the edges. Dianne just watched.

When I finished she asked, "You learned that from the makeup book?"

I nodded 'yes'.

She looked at what I'd accomplished and slowly nodded her approval then had me refresh my lipstick. Once more she looked impressed with what I'd done.

"O.K. Now let's do something with your hair. I'll get my wig brush for you."

When she left the room I got up to continue what I'd started, just before she 'interrupted' me, by walking over to the big mirror to see what I looked like. I saw a very good looking young woman in her twenties where once there had been a thirteen year old boy. The change was amazing. I really was feminine in every way and from every angle. I know because I looked and looked and looked....

When Dianne returned she had the brush and a fresh drink for each of us.

"Jesus, Jess, you look good! Good enough to fool......... Hey! I have a wild idea. It might not even be legal. I know certain facets of it aren't...... but, what the Hell. I don't even know if you'll like it, but I'll tell you anyway. Go sit at the vanity so I can do your hair."

I complied, willingly.

As I sat, she brushed my waist length hair and asked, "Would you like to go out tonight? Just the two of us? Girlfriends taking in a movie together and maybe stopping off for a drink on our way home?"

Well, there were some movies I wanted to see, but I didn't really think I could go out in public THIS way.

Seeing my scowl, she suggested we take a picture together, side by side. My parents had a Polaroid with an automatic timer and a tripod.

I said O.K. to that idea and took a couple more sips from my drink. By this time I was beginning to feel somewhat mellow. Dianne finished my hair and had me look in the big mirror once again. I didn't know what she had done but I looked much more feminine and, somehow, even sexier. The booze may or may not have had anything to do with my reaction. All I know is, the longer I looked, the more comfortable I felt. That sexy young woman looking back at me from the mirror was almost too much for me to take.

I raised the glass to my lips and watched as she, my mirrored self, drank half of its contents.

'Interesting', I remember thinking.

As I turned away from that vision of loveliness, I heard Dianne calling from the living room.

"Camera's ready Jessie. Come on down. Bring your makeup case and perfume with you."

So that's exactly what I did... after draining my glass.

When I got to the living room, I could see what she had in mind. The camera was set up facing the fireplace. We were going to pose there. O.K. by me. The large mirror on the opposite wall would be perfect for seeing how we looked before the exposure was made.

"Jessica, come over here by me. We can practice our poses in the mirror."

I walked over and stood by Dianne while we both looked across the room into the mirror. That was the first time I realized how very much looked like sisters. From her expression, I knew she saw it too. That idea of us going out started to appeal to me.

"Which movie do you have in mind..............Sis?", I asked.

 

Chapter 3

Dianne smiled, sighed a happy sigh and reached for my hand. We stood there for several moments, holding hands and gazing into each other's eyes.

"Jessie, do you know just how much I love you?", she asked, breaking the silence.

"I think I'm beginning to learn, Di.", I barely whispered.

She squeezed my hand and said, "Let's get that picture now." and walked to the camera. After checking the focus she pressed the auto timer and hurried back to my side, once again taking my hand in hers.

Giving another squeeze she said, "O.K., quick now, look at me in the mirror and smile pretty."

The camera started beeping as I turned to look. Dianne's reflection was smiling at me which caused me to smile back at her, just before the camera took our picture. "Wait till you see this................ Sis. Ooooooo I like saying that!", she bubbled.

When my loving mother, sister, best friend went to the camera to get the picture, I followed. After the requisite sixty seconds we saw ourselves as others would see us. What the picture showed was two very attractive women, one in her early thirties and the other about twenty-five, who were very obviously related.

We stood there grinning like a couple of morons, crying very happy tears for a while.

"Hey! We've got to get going if we're to get there for the start of the movie.", she said breaking my trance. "And, my dear sweet sister, you've got to fix your makeup. Again.", she added with a dreamy smile.

"O.K.. But I want to change my wig. Will you help me?"

"Sure Jess, go put on the one you want and I'll help you style it. Oh, one more thing. I saw a white satin choker in your collection, wear that one. It'll go better with your blouse."

I hurried up to my room, carefully removed my beautiful long wig and picked up one of the shorter styles. This one had slightly longer bangs and fell to the middle of my upper back, between my shoulder blades. I put it on, swept it away from my face over my shoulders and walked into the guest room to fix my face. My eye shadow was wearing a bit thin so I repaired that, then fixed my blush and lipstick.

Di walked in just as I finished my lips and said, "Let's have a look." She looked at my handiwork, pursed her lips, tilted her head and said, "Needs.................something.", and continued to study my face. "Well, I'll think about what while I do your hair. Here, face the mirror. Anything special you want done?", she asked.

I couldn't think of anything and said so.

"O.K. let's see what we can come up with then. Earrings. You need earrings. And a little bit of eyebrow pencil wouldn't hurt. Maybe some eyeliner too. And, while we're doing eyes, those false eyelashes have got to go. Your own will do. Need a little mascara's all."

My wonderful 'older sister' then concentrated on fixing my hair.

"Did I see some large barrettes in your collection? Yes? And earrings?", I nodded yes with a smile on my face. "Good! Why don't you go get them while I get us another drink.", she told me.

So I went and got the bag with all of the jewelry, brought it back and spread it out on the vanity top.

Dianne came back shortly with the promised refreshments and handed me one. "Cooler sans wine, no alcohol in these. I have to drive soon."

'Just as well.', I thought, then took several sips while trying to decide what jewelry to wear. Decisions, decisions. I finally settled on a pair of simple dangles, black onyx in gold, that made my ears look pierced. Di helped me position and clip them in place.

These, like everything else I had on, felt fantastic. She then had me sit on the edge of the guest room bed while she did my eyebrows, mascara and eyeliner.

"There. Done. Go look at yourself in the big mirror Jessie. I think you'll like what you see."

She was right! I was even more feminine than before. As I stood there, bemused by my own reflection, she walked up behind me and put a single large barrette in the hair on the right side of my head. I tipped my head from side to side while studying the effect.

"How do you like that?", she asked.

"Pretty, but.............. isn't there another one like this?", I said pointing at the single, black in gold barrette.

"Yeah. Got it right here. Turn this way."

When the mate to the first barrette was in place, I turned to the mirror once more. Something still wasn't quite the way I wanted it. My forehead was too visible. When I asked if something could be done, Dianne nodded, got the brush and proceeded fix my bangs.

"O.K. one last look and we've got to get gone, Sis. Oh wait, here." She reached up to my blouse and undid the top three buttons. "There. Only two more touches and we're on our way. You sure you really want to do this?"

"Yes Dianne, more than anything.", I assured her.

"O.K. then. Wait right there. Oh, and change your choker. I'll be right back. And don't forget to dab a little perfume behind each knee and ear."

Last instruction first. Chanel No.5. First behind each knee, then behind each ear. To this day Chanel is my favorite fragrance. I replaced the black velvet choker with the white satin one as my mother suggested and centered the black onyx stone after hooking the catch, then waited for Di to return. She was back in a flash with a dark blusher case in her hand.

"Hold the top of your blouse open, please."

I complied, curious as to what she had in mind.

"Lift your chin. Ah, that's it, just right. Hold that pose for a second."

"What................?", I started to ask.

"A little blush in the cleavage makes it look deeper, like you've got...........'more'.", she said while brushing makeup on the center of my chest.

"Oh! I get it!", I exclaimed. "I remember reading about this in my makeup book."

"Your bra cups hug your chest just right, covering your falsies completely, so no one will be able to tell the difference. You look perfectly natural." She was absolutely beaming. "O.K.. You're ready. My turn." She rushed off to fix her own hair and makeup. And to put on a different blouse.

In the meantime I put on a couple of the bracelets from my jewelry bag and walked back to the mirror for one last ogle. That's when I decided the boots were too hot, went back to my room and replaced them with the pumps I'd been wearing. This time my nails actually helped with the buckles.

"Come on Jessie. I've already made us late. I'll meet you in the garage." , she called while

walking down the stairs.

I grabbed the large purse, stuffed makeup and money into that, slung it over my shoulder and bolted, in a most unladylike manner, toward the stairs.

'Slow down Jessica!', I advised myself, then walked much more carefully down the stairs, into the living room, stopping only to grab the cigarettes and lighter Dianne had forgotten, then out through the kitchen to the garage.

I put the pack in my purse on the run. Dianne waited for me to get in and buckle up before starting the Chevy.

Suddenly nervous I asked, "Uh...what if someone, one of the neighbors, sees me?"

"So? What if they do?", Di asked. "They'll only think you got here when they weren't around to see you arrive. They won't recognize you at all. Crap Jessie, I didn't recognize you and I've known you all your life.", then, laughing at my concern, she pulled out the snapshot of us and handed it to me.

That did the trick. I was still a little nervous but not in a panic anymore. She put the car in reverse and we were on our way.

Chapter 4

We arrived at the theater, just as Dianne predicted, a half hour late. The movie, a new James Bond flick, was already in progress.

"Well, we have an hour to kill. What would you like to do Sis?"

"How about letting me buy you a drink, Di?", I offered. "That looks like a nice place to sit and talk over there.", I added, pointing to a restaurant with outdoor seating. Each table had it's own huge umbrella.

She looked and nodded then said, "Your treat, huh?", smiled and added "O.K. Sis. Let's go."

We held hands as we walked the short distance to the forest of colorful umbrellas, our heels clicking with each step. On the way Di verbally pointed out several young men who were watching us approach. Apparently with great interest. This, and the way my 'boobies' were bouncing as I walked, helped solidify the role in my mind. We looked their way, smiled and kept walking. By the time we got there we were both giggling. A waiter greeted us and showed us to a back table, as we requested. When asked what she would like, Di answered, "I think I'll have a Strawberry Daiquiri. Please.", then asked me, "What would you like, Sis?"

Not really expecting to get one, I said, "That sounds yummy, Dianne. I'll have one too please."

"Very good Miss.", he said, then left to get our order.

When the waiter was out of ear shot, Di remarked, "That went smoothly.", then asked, "You're really getting into this, aren't you?"

I smiled as I answered, "Yes, ma'am, I am. And so are you!" Then I laughed.

Smiling back at me she said, "Yes, very much so. It's so EASY.... I never would have dreamed........."

I looked at the restaurant's clock and said, "You know, don't you, it's been only four hours since we 'met'?"

"Yes Jess, hard to believe isn't it?"

Di was searching in her purse for something when the waiter arrived with our Daiquiris. I heard her say something unladylike followed by, "...must have left them on the table."

Pulling the cigarettes out of my purse I said, "Here, have one of mine." and offered her the pack. Instead of taking it from my hand she merely took one and asked, with a mischievous grin and one raised eyebrow, "Thanks Sis. Join me?"

I handed her the lighter, used my fingernails to tweeze a cigarette out of the pack for myself, placed it between my lips, laid the pack on the table and leaned forward for the offered light.

Dianne took a drag on her cigarette and said, "I didn't know you were a smoker, Jessica. When did you start?"

I responded by blowing smoke away from the table, taking a sip from my Daiquiri and saying, "About two years ago."

She nodded a thoughtful nod and replied, "Oh yeah. I almost forgot about that incident. Have you smoked much since?"

I took another drag, inhaled, held it for a second then let it out before answering her question. Tapping the ash into the ashtray I said, "This makes four.........maybe five."

Her eyebrows shot up, "Today?!"

Holding my cigarette in as feminine a manner as I could after taking another puff, I said, "Noooooo, not today. Since, and including, the first time. I'm not really a smoker. These things do nothing for me, nor anything to me. Didn't even get dizzy with the first one. Remember? I know I told you." Elbow on table, I held my cigarette up away from my face as I took another sip from my drink.

She took a sip from her drink then asked very softly, "How do I introduce you if we meet someone who knows us? I mean, what name do I give them? Jessica..................... what?"

We sat in silence, smoking our cigarettes and sipping our drinks, while I thought. "Strange. Jessica... Lee... Strange.", I said at last, using Jason's middle name.

"Jessica Lee Strange.", she repeated, "Really? Why Strange?"

I put out my cigarette, took another strawberry flavored sip and answered, almost inaudibly, "Because that's what the kids in school say I am, Dianne. Strange."

"Sooooo........... that's why you have so few friends. Kids your age see differences in you that make them uncomfortable, so they keep their distance. Do they treat you badly?", she asked with deep concern showing in her expression.

"I don't have anything to gauge that by.", was my answer. "Teachers react to me differently than they do the others. And they, the others, seem to resent that. It's all I've ever known."

Dianne sat there, elbows on table, chin on interlaced fingers, digesting what she'd just learned. With a pretty scowl, she sat up and took another sip from her Daiquiri. Then said, "This is not good.", and reached for another cigarette. I followed suit and took the lighter as she passed it to me, laying it on top of the pack after lighting up.

We, once again, sat in silence for a while. I stood up, smoothed my skirt, took a last puff, put out my cigarette and said, "I need the little girls room. I'll be right back."

Dianne said nothing as I walked into the restaurant, just nodded and sat there lost in thought, staring at her drink and stroking the stem of her glass with thumb and forefinger.

The Ladies Room was through the bar to the left. As I made my way there, I could feel the eyes of the bartender undressing me as I passed.

'If you only knew.' I thought at him. Once inside, I went straight to one of the stalls, set my purse on the shelf, hiked up my skirt, pulled down garter belt and padded panties and sat to relieve myself. I was careful to make noise with the toilet paper should anyone enter.

Then I stood, pulled up panties and garter belt, rearranged my skirt, flushed the toilet and walked to the mirror. I stood there looking at Jessica's face while getting her lipstick from her purse.

I thought, 'What's happening to me?', shrugged, made a face at myself then proceeded to repair my lipstick. I then removed my barrettes, shook my head, finger combed my hair

behind my ears and headed back to our table.

As I approached, the bartender, a tall, broad shouldered guy in his twenties, smiled and said, "Hi." in a very friendly, maybe even hopeful, manner. I just smiled back and kept going, happily aware of the sound my heels made on the linoleum floor, back to my seat.

Expecting to see only Dianne, I almost missed the table. She was sitting and talking with someone.

She looked up as I approached and said, "There you are. Jessie, I'd like you to meet Phillis Johnson. Phillis, this is my half sister. Jessica Strange."

My heart stopped when I saw Phillis. Her daughter was Marilyn, my most vocal tormenter since third grade. Marilyn had engineered many pranks against me,

including the 'smoke this cigarette or we'll beat you'll up' incident of two years ago. Both new me as Jason.

Phillis stood and said, holding out her hand, "I'm very happy to meet you Jessica. Will you be in town long?"

Shaking her hand and (I hoped) smiling, I said, "No, not very. I have to get back home to Ohio before five o'clock a week from next Friday. So I'll be leaving a week from this coming Thursday."

"Or you'll turn into a pumpkin?", she said, tittering.

'Yup, yup, this is definitely Marilyn's mother', I thought sarcastically. Laughing back I said, "Noooo, not a pumpkin. The contract with MY Fairy Godmother stipulates 'prepubescent boy'."

On hearing that, Dianne, who had just taken a sip from her drink, almost sprayed us with Daiquiri, but caught her laugh in time. Barely.

"Sorry, went down the wrong pipe.", she said in a choked voice, wiping her chin and hand with a napkin.

For the next forty-five minutes I had to be very careful when making eye contact with her, or it would set her off on another laughing jag.

"My, aren't YOU the quick one?", Phillis said through a plastic smile, each word dripping venom.

On hearing that all too familiar tone my heart resumed it's normal cadence and, carefully smoothing my skirt, I resumed my seat. Smiling sweetly. The waiter returned just then and asked us if we would like another round.

Di and I said 'Yes' in unison, which set off yet another round of giggling.

Phillis, still standing, said politely, "It was VERY nice to meet you Jessica. I've got to go pick up my daughter at ballet class now, so I'll be on my way. Nice seeing you again Dianne. Bye-bye now.", and then she was gone. Thank goodness!

I drained my glass and made eye contact with Di. She didn't start laughing, but there was an amused grin on her face and a devilish twinkle in her eye. "Jessica, you are amazing. You handled that extremely well."

"Is that what you saw? Did you miss the part where my heart stopped? When I saw who she was?"

"I don't believe how mature you are. Have you been this intelligent all along? Did I miss it because I was thinking of you as a................................?"

"Little kid.", I finished for her.

"Yes.", she confirmed sadly.

Our fresh drinks arrived. I asked for the check. The waiter complied and left us to our

conversation. I looked at the check, took fifteen dollars out of my purse and put it all under the ashtray. Dianne had another cigarette going so I lit one too. We sat smiling at each other for a few moments, sipping and smoking.

"I really don't believe this is happening, but I'm extremely happy to have met you at last.", Di told me. "This is wonderful."

"I love you too, Dianne."

People started drifting over from the theater. The next show would begin soon. "Ready for the movie, Sis?", I asked Dianne.

She smiled at me again and sighed, "Not really, I'm happy just sitting here with my new found best friend. But, movie we came to see, so movie we go watch."

We took one last sip of our drinks, stood and walked toward the box office. On the way she said, "Since you paid for the drinks, I've got tickets and snacks. O.K.?"

"Offer accepted.", I smiled at her. "By the way, Di, what ever happened to your Ladies Club meeting? I thought you wouldn't be back until after nine."

"Meeting? Oh, that.", she was grinning that mischievous grin again, "there WAS no meeting."

That stopped me dead in my tracks. "You mean you planned this?"

"Yes Ma'am! I wanted to see what you were up to. I knew about the clothing. You must have tried to hide it for some reason. I just put two and two together.", she shrugged. "That and the antsy way you've been acting lately told me, pretty much, what you were up to. But I had to make sure. So I created the meeting to give you time to 'play' and besides, I wanted to see how you'd look." she explained. "Sorry for the deception. Forgive me?"

I looked at my cigarette, took a last puff and ground it out under my beautiful right pump. "Forgiven.", I told her, then smiled, put my arm around her waist and said, "Let's get into that theater, Sis. Don't want to be late again."

On our way home we stopped at a grocery store for cigarettes. No one questioned my age or gender. More proof that my 'costume' was flawless. Well......good enough at least. My confidence just kept growing.

'You'd better be very careful Jessie dear, or you'll make a dead giveaway mistake.', I cautioned myself.

Back in the car Dianne asked, "It's probably none of my business, Sis. But where do you get your money?"

"It came with two of my purses."

"Oh? Mind if I go trash picking with you?", she asked jokingly.

"I won't be doing that for at least two weeks. If it's O.K. with you." I was seeking her approval for more time en femme.

"O.K. with me? Hell yes! Want to go shopping with me tomorrow? As Jessica Lee?"

"Please!", I almost shouted.

"It's a date then. We have to get some more casual clothing for you anyway and something to store your new wardrobe in. Something to keep it neatly hidden. Don't want your Dad finding any of it. Not even one earring! Your perfume we can mix in with mine on the guest room vanity."

We got home a little after ten. Dianne walked up the stairs with me and said, "Jess, why don't you use the guest room tonight? You can hang your clothing in the closet and store the rest of your things in there too. And, if you want, I have a nice nightie you can wear."

This was an offer I couldn't refuse.

That night I dreamed about finding a tight fitting, artificial skin, shirt with 'real' breasts.

Chapter 5

I awoke, still wearing the wig, panties, nightie, choker and falsie filled bra, to the sound of Dianne's voice calling me. "Jessie? Are you up yet?"

"Not yet.....uh.... Di.", I mumbled.

"Well,", I heard from the guest room doorway. "come on sleepy head. We're going shopping today. Remember?"

"Oh yeah. Not awake yet. Where we going?", I said while moving to get out of bed. Yawning, I squinted and blinked at my beautiful Mom.Her low chuckle told me she was still having fun.

"Get up and go put on your face. It looks like you're going to need a cup of coffee or two to get up to speed. I've got a fresh pot brewing. Hurry up, now. When you're presentable, put these on and come down stairs."

'These' were a pair of feathery high heeled slippers, 'mules' Dianne called them, and a light weight robe from the deepest recesses of her closet. Pink.

Staggering erect, I made my way to the bathroom where I removed wig and choker so I could wash my face. After washing up and relieving myself, I put my wig back on and went to the vanity table. The brush was still there from the night before, so I did my best to correct my bed hair. Then pulled it into a loose ponytail which I fixed in place with a barrette from my purse. That done I added color to my lips, cheeks and eyelids then slipped into the pink robe and mules. One last check in the mirror and I headed toward

the kitchen and its wonderful aroma of brewing coffee.

I tied the robe closed on my way down the stairs.

"There you are. How did you sleep sis? Any dreams?"

"Yup, here I am. That coffee smells delicious.", I yawned at her.

"How do you take your coffee? Sugar? Milk?"

"Same as you do, Di. Did yesterday REALLY happen? Was THAT a dream?", I said and asked. She already had a cup waiting for me, made as she does for herself. No surprise there.

"Yes it did. No it wasn't. Do you remember enjoying yourself?", she said while walking out to the patio with her coffee. I picked up my cup and started to follow. Through the screen door I heard her say, "Grab the cigarettes on your way out, will you please?" I found them on the counter by the door and picked them up.

Dianne was seated in one of the Adirondack chairs by the patio table. She motioned me to the chair opposite her. As I sat she asked again, "Did you enjoy yourself yesterday?"

"Yes. Very much so." I carefully sipped my coffee and asked, "How about you?"

Di smiled then and said, "More than I can express. Meeting you is one of the best things that's ever happened to me. I'm really looking forward to spending today with you. I have at least a thousand questions I want to ask."

"Like what?", I yawned.

"Like how did you learn your 'role' so well? Your mannerisms are VERY feminine. Where did you get them?"

Reaching for a cigarette I said, "Television, school, and at home, from watching you." I lit it, took a drag, exhaled the smoke and continued, "I've had excellent role models of adult femininity. Plus, it appears I'm a natural mimic."

"And a damned good one at that!", she said with a laugh. "Seems you've latched on to one of my WORST mannerisms." Then lit her own bad example and took a puff. "Do you like...", she started to ask, but the ringing of the phone interrupted her question.

She scowled and got up to answer it. As the screen tour sighed shut behind her, I heard her say, "Hello?", the rest of her conversation was cut off when she closed the inside door.

Ten minutes later she returned and asked, "How comfortable are you in this role?"

"Pretty much.", I replied, "Why?"

Dianne took a deep breath and let it out before answering. "That was your teacher, Miss Talbot. She wants to talk to me about Jason." Her expression showed concern as she awaited my response. "I'd like you in on this discussion."

I thought for a moment, took a sip of coffee and slowly nodded my consent. Her face relaxed as she told me, "Good! She'll be here in an hour. Are you up to it?"

"One way to find out. You seem to think I did alright last night with Mrs. Johnson, I'll go get dressed." Putting out my cigarette and standing, I asked, "It's a little chilly this morning, may I borrow one of your sweaters?"

"Sure thing, honey. You know they are?", she asked.

"Yup, thanks Di." I said on my way through the door.

Once upstairs I went straight to my mother's dresser and picked a peach colored cowl neck sweater from her drawer. Carrying that to my room I then chose a pair of jeans from my 'collection'. They were a little loose in the waist but fit my legs and padded derriere just right. Back in the guest room I stripped completely, parking my wig on the bedside lamp. Everything else I placed on the bed. Twenty minutes later, showered, powdered and finally awake, found me sitting, once again, at the vanity table.

The shadow I used was light peach, followed by brown eyeliner and a little eyebrow pencil. While checking my face for mistakes, I felt a sudden need for polished toenails. Don't ask me what brought that on, I haven't the foggiest. But, in the middle of getting ready, that's what I did.

Twenty minutes left. Into the bathroom for more powder, just where my panties would be. I went back to the bed and got dressed. Panties, bra, breast forms and jeans. Then, as it hung on the lamp, I brushed my hair, pulling back the top layer from each side, fixing the resulting ponytail in place with a single large barrette.

Back to the vanity, Chanel No.5 behind each ear and inside each elbow. Mom's sweater came next. As I was pulling it over my head I heard the doorbell. It could only be Miss Talbot.

"Hi Joan, come in.", I heard my mother say.

Followed by Miss Talbot's voice saying, "Hi yourself Di. It's been a long time. Is Jason here?"

"Not really. Would you like a cup of coffee? Yes? Good. We can sit and talk on the patio.", Di said.

"Not really...?" I heard Miss Talbot say.

The conversation faded as they walked out to the patio.

'Here we go.', I thought anxiously.

Taking the wig off the lamp I walked over to the dressing mirror. I slipped the wig into place, fixed the bangs, brushed the sides forward over my shoulders and resumed working on my face. A little blush, left cheek, right cheek, done. Lipstick, blot, done. Stand back for final inspection, nuts!, no earrings. Pick a pair, put 'em on. Ring? Nah! Shoes! I need shoes! Back into my bedroom for the high heeled sandals. Slip 'em on. There. Done!

"It's Showtime!", I said aloud to the air.

"Jessica? Are you decent yet? There's someone I'd like you to meet. Come down when you're ready, Sis. I've made another cup of coffee for you.", Dianne called up the stairwell.

"Be right down, Di.", I called back.

One last look in the big mirror, deep breath, hold it in, exhale, another, exhale, ready. Down the stairs to the kitchen.

"Coffee's on the counter, Jessie. Come on out." Another deep breath and exhale, out to the patio with my coffee and a smile.

"Jessie, I'd like you to meet an old college friend of mine, Jason's eighth grade teacher." Dianne said.

Both of them were sitting at the table, facing me and smiling. "Jessica, this is Joan Talbot. Joan, this is my half sister Jessica Strange."

"Happy to meet you......Jessica. You're very pretty.", said my former teacher.

"Thank you Joan. Now I can see why Jason had such a crush on you.", I said, once again hoping I had a smile on my face. Putting my coffee on the table, I took the remaining chair.

"I don't think I remember you telling me about Joan, Dianne. You two were friends in college?"

"Sure I did Jessie. But.........", Di started to say.

"Let me, Dianne.", Joan said softly, touching my mother's arm.

My Mom nodded.

"Do you remember your...... sister talking about a John Talbot?"

With a puzzled look on my face, I nodded slightly and said, "Yes. Go on."

"Well...... I'm his sister.", she told me, "In the very same way that YOU are Jason's AUNT."

"Uh......... that means..... that you're.... uh...", I shut my mouth then and with trembling hands I lit a cigarette, took a puff, inhaled and crossed my arms under my 'breasts'.

"That's right Jessie.......... I am.", Joan confessed.

By this time I was smoking like a nervous freight train. I looked at her chest, she wasn't wearing a bra. I could see obviously natural cleavage and a relief of her nipples through the thin fabric of her blouse, and said, "But... your breasts........they look.......... so......... real."

Both of them laughed at that observation and Joan said, "That's because they are real Jessie."

"How......?", I wanted to know.

"All in good time young lady.", she said gently. "You'll learn someday anyway. You may even want some of your own."

Dead silence prevailed until Joan broke it saying, "Enough of this, I came here to talk about Jason, not me, and we, Dianne and I, were hoping you could add some insights to this discussion. Will you help us?"

After mentally shaking myself, I replied with a grin, "I'll be happy to. What would you like to know, Joan?" I was, apparently, back in character.

"She's ba-a-a-a-a-a-ck.", I heard Di say in a singsong way.

"Amazing.", Joan said with a smile, shaking her head slightly.

I stuck my tongue out at Dianne, turned to face Joan and asked, "No. Really. What do you want to know?"

For the next two hours, Joan, Dianne and I analyzed Jason. Toward the end, the discussion compared and contrasted Jason and Jessica.

Joan looked at her watch and said, "Well, this has been EXTREMELY enlightening, but I have a bunch of shopping to do today and I must be running."

"Hey! So do we. Wanna make it a party?", I asked.

With a big smile Joan replied, "Sure! Solo shopping is quicker but NOwhere near as much fun. Di?"

My mother was absolutely beaming as she nodded her agreement. "Good idea! Just give us a few minutes to change into something more suitable, Joan. Jessie looks hot in that sweater and I want to put on a different blouse.", then to me she said, "I took the liberty of washing some of your wardrobe last night Jessie. You'll find it hanging in your closet."

"My bedroom closet or in the guest room closet?"

"Guest room."

"Thanks Di." Best friend, sister, mother. I had it all in her.

In the guest room closet hung eight blouses, one vest and three pairs of slacks. I decided that the jeans I was wearing plus the light blue sleeveless blouse would look nice together, so the sweater was soon replaced by the blouse.

As I stood there, trying to decide whether to tuck it in or not, Dianne came into the room and asked, "Ready?"

Holding up the hem of the blouse I said, "Not quite. In? Or out?"

"In...... definitely in.", she advised, "We'll be waiting for you downstairs."

After tucking in the tails I put three of the thin gold bracelets on my right wrist and the

lady's watch on my left. Then proceeded down the stairs to join my new friends.

We were headed toward the highway, Joan driving, Dianne in the passenger seat and me in back when Joan said, "You two in any hurry?"

"Not really. We were planning on a leisurely buying spree for Jessica anyway. What do you have in mind?"

Joan turned down the radio and asked, "Jessie, how do you feel about beauty salons? Would you like to have your makeup done professionally?" She saw the hesitation on my face in her rear view mirror, then added, "It'll be O.K. Jessica. It's a TV friendly beauty shop. I go there all the time. Want to?"

Thinking of all that had transpired in the past twenty-four hours, being 'caught' by my mother, going to the movies, the bartender's lascivious grin, my several trips to ladies room and the confrontation that set Phillis Johnson off, I finally shrugged and said, a bit devilishly, "Yeah!"

So off we went.

When we got there, 'Just Face It' was the shop's name, Joan introduced me to all of the beauticians and another TV friend of her's who was getting her hair done. On the wall opposite the big mirrors were dozens of photos. Most were autographed, all showing beautifully made up and dressed clients of the shop.

Since Dianne had decided to visit the 'Bedrooms, Closets and Such' two doors down, there wasn't a biological female in the place.

Five minutes later I was telling my beautician, 'Sherri', how I'd met Joan and getting my face and nails done professionally. Sherri's perfect eyebrows went up when I told her how old my 'nephew' would be in two weeks.

All activity in the shop came to a screeching halt! And every eye was on me!

'Oh boy, I've done it now.', was my immediate thought.

Then I heard Joan's familiar laugh.

Followed by the rest of the group laughing. I must have had a look of terror on my face because soon I was being bombarded with comforting words, congratulations, compliments and general expressions of awe. Looking around the room, I saw nothing but smiling faces.

"Sorry Jessica. Your demeanor and appearance say mid twenties. None of the rest of us knew what was going on at thirteen. I don't think anyone here, other than yourself, was 'out' before age twenty. We're all proud to know you.", Sherri explained.

The relief was overwhelming and I started to tear up.

"Hey! What'd I say?"

"Sherri," Joan said, "I think she was expecting trouble. Remember? Dead silence? Followed by laughter? Then comforting words? What effect would that have had on you?"

"Oh damn. I'm sorry Sweetie. We're ALL on your side. It's just that, so far, you're the youngest 'sister' EVER to come in here. And that was somewhat of a shock to us.", Sherri explained gently, "That took real guts. We're very proud of you."

What ensued, while Sherri repaired my tear damaged makeup, was a recounting of my brief involvement with transvestism starting with my treasure hunt, ending with Joan's suggestion of a make over.

She had trouble believing that I'd done my own makeup after only reading about it and said so.

From the doorway Dianne said , "Jessica's telling the truth. Honest.".

"I'd like you all to meet Jessie's 'half sister', Dianne.", said Joan.

The resulting babble was full of "Bless yous', 'Wows' and 'Welcomes' as Di stood there, a large package under her arm.

Someone, I think it was Donna, rushed to take the package and ushered her to a seat in the waiting room explaining, "I'm VERY happy to meet you. We all are. Such understanding....... have a seat. We'll let you know when she's ready.", she started to come back into the salon, then turned and said sincerely, "I wish you'd been my mom."

Sherri finished, sprayed my face with something to... protect? fix? the makeup, took the protective bib from around my neck and helped me out of the chair.

"There you go Lady Jessica, all done. Go ahead, take a look at you.", Sherri said. So I did.

Looking at my face in the mirror showed just how much of an artist Sherri was. The blush was just right for my bone structure and, this is what impressed me the most, my eyes looked much larger and somewhat exotic. The eye shadow now extended from eyeliner to eyebrows, fading to nearly nothing just before getting there. She'd used a darker shade on the outside corners of my eyes, perfectly blended into the lighter shadow. The effect was amazing. I wondered how long it would take me to learn how to do that. Even my lower lashes were visible. She'd done my lips in two shades, a reddish cinnamon, matching my nail color, with a slightly darker outline. My hair was now in a French braid, and much cooler on my neck.

As I stood there gaping at my image, Dianne and Joan walked up and stood on either side just behind me. Both were grinning broadly. One of them said, "Close your mouth Jessica."

I complied.

"O.K., now......... smile pretty.", I finally recognized Joan's voice and smiled pretty. "Sherri......... you are an artist."

"Turn around so everyone can see, Jessie.", someone else said.

When I did, finally, turn, I was greeted by seven smiling faces. All nodding their approval.

"What do I owe you Sherri?", my mother asked.

"This one's on me Di. Please?", Joan requested.

"THIS one's gratis, Girls. I insist.", Sherri told them. In answer to their protests, Sherri explained, "Think of it as an early birthday present.", then handed me a zipped vinyl case containing my new makeup, saying, "Don't forget to take this, Sweetie. Enjoy."

I had every intention of returning, as soon as I could. We said our thank yous and goodbyes, promised to return and resumed our intended shopping.

The three of us visited several clothing stores that afternoon, but purchased little. Joan got a couple of dresses and a blouse, Di needed some bras and panties and I took home

two bras, three pairs of panties and two camisoles, one black, one Navy. On the way home we stopped for dinner at the restaurant with the outdoor tables. Conversation consisted of girl talk. Shopping, how nice one of us or the other would look in such and such a dress seen in such and such a shop, makeup, the 'girls' at Just Face It, and planning future get togethers.

After dinner Joan asked me, "What's the rest room like here, Jessie?"

I replied, "Clean, four stalls, large mirror. Shall we, Girls?", sounding as best I could like Sherri.

Wide eyes and laughter was the response I got from that effort. Good! That's what I was after.

Joan looked at Dianne and said, "Damn Di! You weren't kidding. Her talent for mimicry is marvelous."

"Told you.", my mother replied with a grin.

As we stood to go, I picked up the check, quickly calculated the tip and put it under my Daiquiri glass. That act was greeted by two pairs of raised eyebrows.

"You two have done enough for me today." I quickly explained. "Dinner and drinks are on me."

With me in the lead, we headed in through the bar to the ladies room. The bartender smiled when he saw us approaching, so I smiled back and said, "Hello again." and kept walking. In the ladies room we each took a stall, did what we had to and met at the vanity.

"That guy's cute. Is there anything I should know?", Dianne asked.

I stopped fixing my lipstick, looked at her slyly and said, "Maybe."

Joan covered her mouth with her hand to keep from laughing out loud, though her eyes betrayed her amusement and let me know she understood. Di just looked at me. I turned back to the mirror and the task at hand. On the way out we stopped at the cash register to pay for dinner.

Looking at the check the bartender said, "That'll be $37.86, pretty lady."

Watching Dianne and Joan, out of the corner of my eye, I pulled out two twenties and handed them to my hopeful admirer, smiling shyly. His hand lingered in mine as he handed back the change. As I was putting it in my purse he said, "My name's Drake.",

and asked, "Can I call you some time?"

"Please do.", I said, then added demurely, "I was hoping you'd ask.", all the while watching my companions and smiling at the man. Joan could hardly contain herself while Dianne's expression was that of a dumbfounded mother.

With a huge grin of his own, Drake said, "GREAT!"

At this point, Di's eyes narrowed and one corner of her mouth twitched with sudden insight. We were half way to the door when Drake called out, "Hey pretty lady, what's your number?"

Without stopping, I smiled at him over my shoulder and called back, "It's in the book."

Drake said loudly, through a goofy grin, "WONDERFUL!"

Joan, Di and I walked out onto the sidewalk. The door closed slowly when I let it go. We hadn't taken five steps when it opened again behind us.

It was Drake. "Well...what's your name?", he wanted to know.

"That's in the book, too.", I told him, turning to face him as I walked, smiling sweetly.

He just stood there in the open door, eyes wide, mouth open. Looking, for all the world, like he wanted to say something but couldn't remember how to speak.

Dianne tried to stifle a laugh, only to have it escape. Explosively. Through her nose. Joan wasn't quite as polite.

At the car, Joan asked, still laughing, "Damn it Jessie, are you trying to make us pee our pants?"

"Just having a little fun.", I said with a straight face. "Di's the one who thinks he's cute."

Both of them giggled on and off all the way home. I think I heard 'tease' and 'flirt' used a few times amid the giggles.

Chapter 6

"Could I have a picture of you Jessie. I want something to remember this by.", Joan said when we got to the house.

"Me too!", Dianne and I said at the same time.

That started a new round of giggles. God! Was I having fun! More fun than Jason ever had.

"Camera's still set up in the living room. How about a group shot?", Dianne suggested. "There's still plenty of film.We can each have one."

"Excellent idea Di. But I want one of Jessica, by herself, too." Joan said. "Oh! How about one for the crew at Just Face It? I know THEY'd love to have her picture."

"And she could wear...... if it's O.K. with you, Jessie... her sexiest outfit.", Dianne enthused. "You know, what you were wearing when I 'caught' you.... Damn, was it only yesterday?"

"Yeah. Yesterday. Seems a lot further away than that.", I said, shaking my head slowly. "Oh well...let's get that group portrait first, then I'll go change."

We arranged ourselves in front of the fireplace, Joan to my left, Dianne on my right, and made faces at each other in the mirror.

More giggling.

Di set the timer and rejoined us for the photo. The camera's beeping was warning us of the impending flash when Di said, "That's in the book too.", which caused MORE laughter.

We got ourselves under control just in time. That shot came out nicely. We had to take four more shots, Joan got something in her eye at the wrong moment and another was spoiled by my perfectly timed sneeze.

Joan and I swapped the photos back and forth as we all drifted toward the kitchen.

I stopped at the foot of the stairs and said, "I'll go change. See you in a bit."

Back to where it all started yesterday, I quickly removed sandals, jeans and blouse. I then

put on my black garter belt and a clean pair of my black nylons. The white bra I swapped for the strapless black one and adjusted my breast forms. On to the closet. I put on my halter top cocktail dress, this time over my head as Di had taught me, hooked the little hook in the back and zipped it up.

Vanity table next for the black satin choker and earrings I was wearing when my Mom walked in on me. Chanel No. 5 behind each ear, elbow and knee. There!

Done! Oops! Almost forgot, blush for my cleavage.

There. Finished.

I started for the door, then decided to take one last look in the dressing mirror. That's when I noticed that, except for stockings, I was barefoot. Again. I found my beautiful patent leather pumps in the closet, put them on and buckled the straps.

"NOW I'm ready.", I said aloud to my self, then went to join my friends downstairs.

Nobody was in the kitchen when I got there but there was a drink on the counter and the door to the patio was open. Figuring the drink was for me, I picked it up and walked out to the patio.

As the door closed behind me I heard Dianne say, "Here she is. What do you think?"

Joan turned from gazing at the sunset to face me. She let out a low whistle and stared. The light from the setting sun bathed everything in sweet golden light, including me.

"Lady Jessica, you are striking.", Joan finally said.

I could feel a blush beginning to heat my face as I replied, "Thank you sister Joan.", causing her to dimple. No wonder Jason had such a crush on her all last year. She was cute!

Di was already getting the camera ready as Joan said, "Let's get that picture now, before we lose this light."

She took my drink and set it on the patio table while Dianne directed me to pose in front of the bench under the rose arbor in the garden. The light lasted only long enough for four exposures.

Too bad... I was having fun mugging for the camera.

We walked back to the patio to sit. One of them had thoughtfully covered my chair with a large towel to protect my silk dress, for which I was truly thankful. We sat in silence, passing the most recent four pictures around, commenting on each as it came to us. After the final choices were made, Joan promised to take the one chosen for Just Face It to the shop the next day. Dianne took the last cigarette from the open pack, lit it, reached into her purse and handed me a fresh pack without saying a word. I tapped the pack a few times, as I'd seen her do, opened it and tweezed one out for myself. After lighting up and picking up my glass I sat back in the chair.

"That bothers me.", Dianne said, "I know. I know. I smoke! But seeing you follow in my footsteps, like that, makes me a little uneasy. You'll have to put those behind you, you know. And soon."

Sitting there, I sipped my drink, inhaled deeply and let it out before saying, "Not to worry Sis. Jessica is a smoker, now. Jason never was, nor will he ever be. I promise. You'll see."

Joan looked at the photos in her possession while Dianne and I sat there smoking and sipping our drinks in silence.

I finished my cigarette, put it out and said, "By the way Di, what was in that large package?"

She looked puzzled for a second. "Oh that. It's a hanging wardrobe for all of your pretty dresses and things. Remember? That's one of the things we talked about. And it locks. Should fit very nicely in the far end of your closet. Your father......I mean Robert, my husband, won't even know it's there."

"Has Robert met Joan?", I asked.

"Yes, he has. But he doesn't approve of people like us, Jessie.", Joan said sadly. "He doesn't understand."

"Men are men, women are women and neither shall exhibit any characteristics of the other?", I said, hoping to lighten the mood. Well...... it did get grins.

"You're wise beyond your real years Jessica. Don't ever lose that quality.", Joan said, then asked, "How long will you be around this time?"

Dianne answered for me, "She told Phillis Johnson she'd be leaving a week from next Thursday. Robert should be home Friday after. What do you have in mind?"

"I'd like her to go shopping with Carolyn and me sometime. Both of you actually. What I truly want is for Carolyn to meet Jessica. I know she'll want to after seeing these pictures and hearing about our day.", Joan told my mother. "I can't wait to see her expression when I tell her about poor Drake."

After the laughter died down I asked innocently, "Who's Carolyn?"

Joan very softly and with a smile, answered my question, "Carolyn is my wife Jessie. Would you like to meet her?"

"When? Is tomorrow too soon? How about it Dianne?", my words spilled out. To meet yet another understanding person?... Hell yes!

As it turned out, tomorrow wouldn't do. Carolyn had to work and would be busy with other things until Saturday morning. So that's when we agreed to meet, at Joan and Carolyn's place.

Chapter 7

Wednesday and Friday I helped Dianne with the housework and Thursday we went to the Thrift Shop. Dianne got some jeans and a couple of blouses. I came home with several blouses, two sweaters and a shoe rack for my closet. The rack fit perfectly under my new hanging wardrobe.

During that time, Dianne and I spent many hours talking. We took turns answering each other's questions.

My first question was, quite simply, "What's happening to me?"

Di responded by explaining, as best she could, what she'd learned about transvestism from John Talbot while they were lovers in college, just after he'd started hormonal self therapy. They'd parted friends in their junior year and shortly afterward she met Robert, my father.

She went on to tell how, at a Halloween Party the following year, she introduced Robert to John. John was costumed as a vamp from the twenties and his breasts were, by then, well developed. He wasn't wearing a bra. This, at first, attracted my father, then repulsed him. It was way too much for him to take and they left the party early. Dianne hadn't seen John as Joan, nor heard from him/her until Tuesday last. She and Robert had seen Joan's name on my report cards but failed to make a connection

She also told me about how much freer John's personality became as Joan, Jason's as Jessica, and wondered if Jason/Jessica would be following the same road as Joan. Dianne also asked me if I had any interest in other boys. I replied, quite honestly, that actually altering my body wasn't an option and only one 'boy' had ever appealed to me. I hastened

to add, in a humorous confession, how foolish I felt upon learning that I'd had a crush on a married man all last year. Namely, Joan Talbot.

"I can't believe the difference.", Dianne said, "I hope Jason loses some of his shyness. You've shown me quite a few 'new' sides of him."

"You'll see more of me in him when he 'gets back', Di. And I'll be back whenever it's safe.", I assured her. "I like both of me. I like being treated as an intelligent adult. I like feeling feminine and pretty. I like the freedoms each 'role' provides, so I'll be keeping both."

"What about the smoking?", she asked.

"Jason won't, but I will....... it's as much a part of this persona as it is of your's. And, I feel it adds to my image as Jessie.", I said while reaching for another cigarette. "Will you help me convince Robert to let Jason let his hair grow? I have a feeling the other kids will have an easier time accepting him if he looks more like they do. His brush cut sets him apart, and kids react adversely to visual differences."

Dianne chuckled sadly and said, "I'll do my best. Jason's hair has been a sore spot with me for some time now. Robert KNOWS how I feel about that but, with Jason's input, I think he'll give in. He won't necessarily LIKE it, mind you, but he will allow it."

We sat for a while in silence, sipping coffee and smoking, then Dianne said, "I was talking with Joan last night. She wants to have Jason take a battery of tests. He isn't a very studious pupil but he seems to have a very high IQ and his knowledge level is far beyond what his grade level indicates. She thinks he might be able to skip several grades. What's your opinion?"

"Well... maybe it would help. It certainly can't hurt. He's pretty much bored in class, daydreams a lot, does well in Art, Shop and Science classes and reads nonfiction almost exclusively. She might be right. Let's see.", I replied.

Gazing at nothing in particular Dianne nodded and said, "We'll tell Joan tomorrow."

The rest of that Friday was spent setting up my wardrobe in Jason's closet. Dianne had me wash and iron my washable feminine attire and showed me how to care for my wigs so they would be ready when I wanted them. Next morning came and we went to Joan and Carolyn's. I wore my 'new' pastel blue sleeveless turtleneck, clean jeans, a pair of my mother's tennis shoes and one of my mid length wigs. The one styled in a long shag.

Carolyn turned out to be Joan's body double and just as cute. She wasn't as boisterous as Joan, but neither was she shy. Her wit was as quick as her voice was soft. I liked her immediately.

We sat together in the back seat of the Chevy and talked about Jason and Jessica while Dianne drove us to our first destination. This turned out to be the same shopping center Joan, Di and I visited on Tuesday. My mother parked in front of Just Face It and we all got out.

Joan said, "Let's stop in here for a minute."

We followed her through the door into the shop and were greeted with warm enthusiasm by the staff. Dianne and I were introduced to several beauticians who hadn't been there on Tuesday then Sherri said, "Will you honor us Jessie?"

"Honor? How?", I wanted to know.

She looked at my companions impishly and explained, "By putting your autograph on this."

On 'this' she held up a small poster sized reproduction of the picture we had sent them via Joan.

I stared at myself, framed by the rose blossoms of the arbor, for a few moments with a goofy grin on my face then said, "O.K.. But first...", I pulled out my lipstick, walked to the mirror wall, applied a light coat to my lips and, turning around, said, "Ready."

With a curious scowl Joan asked, "What was that all about?"

"You'll see.", Carolyn said with a rare grin.

I took the picture from Sherri's hands, studied it for a few seconds, carefully placed a kiss on a light area in the lower right corner and asked, "Anyone got a pen?"

A pen appeared in my hand from someone, and I wrote, under my lip print;

"To all of my Sisters at Just Face It,

many thanks and much love.

Jessica Lee Strange"

and handed the print back to Sherri. Donna came forward and helped Sherri put the poster in it's frame, being careful to avoid smudging the kiss. They then held it up for all to see and hung it on the picture wall. Other photos had been moved to clear a large space. Dead center. It was the largest photo there. After saying our goodbyes, Carolyn, Joan, Dianne and I wandered in to and out of several stores. We looked but didn't see anything any of us wanted, we just shopped. Back at the car, Dianne asked if anyone wanted to go anywhere special. We all shook our heads, except Carolyn. She wanted some ice cream. The rest of us, suddenly finding ourselves with similar cravings, agreed quickly. So we got back in the car and went to Baskin Robins for a midday snack.

 

On the way, Carolyn and I once again took the opportunity to talk. It was much like a traveling question and answer period. She asked about how I felt when I'd found the clothing, how I learned to do my makeup, where I learned my feminine body language, how I (as Jason) felt about the way I was treated by the other kids and quite a few other, unrelated topics. I was happy to answer anything she asked. No one had ever taken the time to ask me such things. She also mentioned a desire to converse with Jason, when he was available. I told her she'd be meeting him shortly, in a week or so. Adding that he could ride his bicycle to her place whenever she wanted to see him.

Once we were seated at the ice cream shop, Carolyn said, "There's a lot more I'd like to ask you, Jessie. Will you let me know when you're back?."

Joan and Di started to laugh.

"You'll have to forgive Carolyn, Jessie. She's a psychologist.", Joan informed me.

"Good! Next time I see her, which ever persona I'm wearing will have a lot of questions for her too. If that's O.K. by you Carolyn.", I told them.

Carolyn smiled back at me and said, "I'm looking forward to it. And Jason can bike over any time he wants."

"Will you be the one testing Jason?", I wanted to know.

"That wouldn't be a bad idea. The tests are more accurate when the testee is relaxed and in friendly surroundings. Is that O.K. with you Dianne?", she finished.

"Fine by me. But Robert is to be kept in the dark about this until it's over. For whatever reason, intellectuals are as bad in his mind as those he considers 'faggots' and don't even think of bringing up religion or race.", Dianne informed us.

I sat there gazing at my hot fudge sundae and nodding as she spoke. Breaking the silence after my mother's description of my father I said simply, "Ignorance. That's all it is. Intentional ignorance. Doesn't know, doesn't WANT to know. May even be afraid to learn. If he ever finds out about Jessie Lee Strange..."

"There is that.", my mother said, "Oh well... we'll just have to be careful."

 

Chapter 8

I stayed Jessica for the next five days. My father wouldn't be home until some time after seven p.m. that Friday. My fourteenth birthday was the following day, Saturday. Sunday through Thursday, the five days preceding my dad's return, Dianne and I spent in conversation and fine tuning my feminine self.

Mornings we spent together talking over coffee and cigarettes. Afternoons found us watching soap operas with Dianne having me emulate specific actresses, verbally helping me capture each nuance of inflection and body language. Evenings were pleasant times together in the garden or on the patio, sipping wine and talking. And, of course, smoking.

Some time near midnight that Thursday I went to bed, still as Jessica, when my mother declared it a night and went to bed herself. But I couldn't get to sleep. Thoughts of the preceding two weeks were keeping me awake, but not as much as the thought of returning to my role as Jason.

Around two a.m. I got up, dressed myself in pink nylons, pink turtleneck sweater, black miniskirt, my favorite ankle strap pumps, put on makeup and French braided wig then stood in front of the big mirror for quite a while, almost as if to confirm the past fourteen days had really happened. Feeling tired, but still not ready for sleep, I quietly left the guest room and walked down to the kitchen. My wine glass was still on the counter, my lipstick on it's rim. I filled it with White Zinfandel from the fridge, picked up the cigarettes and lighter then went to the garden to sit.

Many things went through my mind as I sat there alone in the moonlight smoking my cigarette, sipping wine, gazing at nothing in particular. I thought of all my new friends, what might happen if my father found out, wondered when my next chance to be Jessica would be and what it all meant. So absorbed in thought was I that I didn't hear Dianne's approach.

Didn't even know she was there with me until she said softly, "May I join you, Jessica?"

"Oh!", I gasped, "you startled me. I didn't hear you come up."

"Sorry, didn't mean to make you jump. Want some company?", she said quietly.

"Please. Have a seat. Would you like a cigarette?", I said offering her the pack.

"Yes. Thank you.", she said as she sat next to me.

We sat in silence for a while, enjoying the full moon, cool breezes and wine. After a half hour or so we started talking quietly. Her concerns matched mine. She told me how much she enjoyed meeting, getting to know and being with Jessica. We discussed strategies for 'our little secret' and how to keep it that way. I mentioned that, earlier in the week, Joan had called and while we were on the phone, Carolyn suggested Jessie could keep at least some of her wardrobe at their place and spend time en femme when ever we could get together.

Di nodded thoughtfully, said it sounded like an excellent plan and offered to help me in choosing what to take over there. I accepted her offer gratefully.

Eventually the sky began to lighten, we'd been talking for about three hours, so we each had one last cigarette and went into the house. She showed me how to remove my fake nails and clean off the residue. To avoid confusion, we put the removed nails in two zip locked bags. One marked with an 'L' the other with an 'R'.

After that I went to the guest room to change back into Jason. But not before taking a long loving look at Jessica in the large mirror. I ran my hands over my curves one last time before sadly turning away from my image.

I undressed slowly, placing each item on the bed, took off my wig and stepped into the shower. A half hour later, the only trace left of Jessica was laying on the bed, waiting to be sorted, laundered and put away for another 'visit' from my 'aunt'.

Later that summer Carolyn administered that battery of tests we'd talked about. The IQ tests showed my mental age at precisely twenty-four, ten years older than my chronological age, giving me an IQ of 171. The general knowledge exams placed my learning level in the 87^th percentile of college sophomores. All of this was taken to the school board through proper channels and the recommendation that I be placed in an advanced academic surrounding was, for what ever reason, flatly denied.

Early the following Spring I took my GED exam and passed with flying colors. My father finally agreed to let me let my hair grow out and gave up on trying to interest me in sports. For my fourteenth birthday he gave me a very nice baseball glove, which I still occasionally use when the need arises.

I tried the college scene for a while, but it just didn't fit my personality. Bicycling long distances became commonplace for me and gave me an excellent explanation for my shaved legs. Several years later a broken collar bone incurred in a cycling accident put me in the gym to beef up my shoulders so it would be less likely to happen again.

Over the years, since those two wonderful weeks, I've spent many hours en femme. Either alone or with friends. I also learned to work my way around the changes puberty made on my body and the structure of my face. I keep my body fit and mostly hairless. Legs shaved for cycling safety, torso stripped for weight lifting. Not only does it help me see what my muscles are doing, but it all looks SO much better in a low cut blouse and stockings.

The house I'm moving into is way out in the country, large, secluded and will have a huge garden, eventually. I've already set up a private 'Guest Room' for visits from my dear, sweet, Aunt Jessie. That room is already ready, complete with vanity table, large triple mirror, private patio and a garden fashioned after the one at my parents house. And yes, there's a rose arbor. There's also a guest suite for Dianne, my loving mother, 'half sister' and friend.

Oh yes, I almost forgot. In Jessie's room there's a wall of pictures of some of my sisters, with a copy of the photo that hangs on the wall at Just Face It, the one of Jessie standing in front of the rose arbor. Joan and my mom sent it to me as a house warming gift a few weeks ago.

Well, that's how I came to have all of my feminine things, or at least how it all started. I still don't know the WHY of it all. Nor do I really care.

There are more stories to be told. And I could tell you quite a few, but I have GOT to get this truck loaded.

Maybe later.

If you're interested.

  

  

  

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